Succession
In early December the remaining members of the Witan in London met and resolved to take the young uncrowned king out to meet William to submit to him at Berkhamsted, quietly setting aside Edgars election
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1066 in England — Page 6
Explore 260 historical events and records for England in 1066.
Historical records for England in 1066
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December
Succession
In early December the remaining members of the Witan in London met and resolved to take the young uncrowned king out to meet William to submit to him at Berkhamsted, quietly setting aside Edgars election
Succession
As the Normans closed in on London, Edgars key supporters in the city began negotiating with William
Other events (month unknown)
Allegiance
Edwin of Mercia weighs support for Harold II as royal authority shifts after Edwards death
Allegiance
Morcar of Northumbria accepts Harold II while northern loyalty remains uncertain
Alliance Tostig Godwinson and foreign supporters
Tostig Godwinson seeks foreign support after his exile from Northumbria
Alliance with Hardrada
Tostig encourages Harald Hardrada to pursue the English crown and joins the Norwegian invasion project.
Battle of Fulford
Hadraada & Tostig defeat Edwin & Morcar then capture York
Battle of Hastings
At the news of Harolds death, Ealdgyths brothers went to London to fetch her and immediately sent her to Chester for shelter
Burial
Ealdgyth buries her former husband at Waltham Abbey
Burial
Harolds mother offers William I equivalent weight in gold for Harolds body, refused
Burial
Believes William I buries Harold II on the sea-shore
Burial
Ealdgyth buries her former husband at Waltham Abbey
Burial
Tradition associates Waltham Abbey with the recovery and burial of Harold II
Capital
Edwards widow keeps control of the West Saxon capital after the Battle of Hastings
Capture of Scarborough
Tostig & Hardrada capture Scarborough
Church
Stigands position as archbishop becomes important in the legitimacy debate around Harold II
Claimant
Edgar Atheling remains a royal claimant but lacks the military support needed to take the throne
Construction of Hastings Castle
The embroidery shows Norman soldiers building a fortified base at Hastings.
Construction of Invasion Fleet
The embroidery shows shipwrights cutting timber and constructing vessels for William's invasion fleet.
Coronation
Crowns Harold II as King of England
Coronation of Harold II
Stigand appears beside the enthroned Harold in the Bayeux Tapestry's coronation scene.
Coronation of Harold II
Crowns Harold II as King of England
Dynasty
Queen Edith links the old royal house and the Godwin family during the succession dispute
Exile of Harold II
Hadrada is rumoured to be in in Isle of Wight preparing for an invasion
Exile of Tostig
Tostig is forced to seek proptection in Scotland after his defeat in the Humber
Halleys Comet
Halleys comet is seen over England, a portent of great things to happen
Homage
Forced to submit to William the Conqueror
Invasion of England
Follows William the Conqueror to England
Invasion of England
Tostig is forced to seek proptection in Scotland. Tostig invades the coast with a fleet of 60 ships but is defeated by Edwin
Invasion of England
Tostig is forced to seek proptection in Scotland. Tostig invades the coast with a fleet of 60 ships but is defeated by Edwin
Invasion of England
Assembles forces "larger than any king had assembled before in this country". Lands on the Isle of Wight to confront William the Conqueror but he does not arrive. Hadrada is rumoured to be in in Isle of Wight preparing for an invasion
Invasion of England
Harold mobilizes to confront Tostig at the Isle of Wight but Tostig lands in the north
Invasion of England
Harald III Hardrada arrives with an invasion fleet of 300 ships
Invasion of England
Tostig is forced to seek proptection in Scotland after his defeat in the Humber
Invasion of England
Receives the banner of St Peter from the Pope to bless his expedition against England
Invasion of England
Sets sail for St Valery-sur-Somme but loses some ships blown ashore by a westerly wind. Moves his fleet from Dives to St Valery at the mouth of the River Somme. Receives a banner from the Pope in support of his invasion of England. Builds a fleet at Dives on the River Dives, by August sufficient ships are assembled
Invasion Preparations
William begins organizing ships, supplies and troops for an invasion intended to enforce his claim to England.
Invasion Preparations
The Bayeux Tapestry depicts William receiving news of Harold's accession and preparing an invasion.
March to Hastings
The Bayeux Tapestry depicts Harold moving south to confront William's invading army.
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.